Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. h&s Surveyors conducted a level 2 survey ahead of our house purchase last year. Their communication was excellent from start to finish, and their report was thorough and very well written. One year on, the report describes everything we've learned from living in our home and we haven't hesitated to recommend h&s Surveyors to our friends and family. Hopefully, we won't need to move home for some time, but when we do, we will use h&s Surveyors.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful and simple process to book in our survey and received back very quickly. Thorough and insightful report and lovely team to work with. Thank you so much.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely first class service, I had additional questions after the survey and nothing was too much trouble. I would highly recommend this company.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. H&S provided an efficient service at a very competitive price. Communication was great. The report was detailed and comprehensive and even our solicitor was impressed with it. We would use them again.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andy provided a really thorough RICS Level 3 survey for us, which was clear and easy to understand, for an excellent price. Would definitely recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had a Grade 3 survey conducted as part of the process of purchasing a house, and we couldn’t be happier with the service provided! The survey was incredibly thorough, detailed, and professionally executed, giving us a clear and comprehensive understanding of the property's condition. The report was not only easy to understand but also highlighted important areas to address, which has been invaluable in helping us plan for possible future works. Chris' expertise, attention to detail, and willingness to answer any questions made the whole process seamless and reassuring. We truly feel that this survey was worth every penny and gave us the confidence to move forward with our purchase. Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable and meticulous survey services!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Survey was promptly booked with helpful admin staff responding quickly by email. Survey was detailed (including plenty of photos) and arrived within the time promised. Seems to be much better value for level 2 surveys than other local providers. Would recommend - thank you!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris is knowledgeable, efficient and helpful and provides an excellent professional serviceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was the second time using H&M Surveyors. They were quick to respond to my initial enquiry and also arranging a date for the survey. Chris phoned me beforehand to ask if I had any particular concerns about the property. The level 2 homebuyers report was provided in the timescale advised and Chris was also happy to discuss the findings of the survey once I had seen the report, which I found very useful. Chris was friendly and explained everything I needed to know. Would definitely recommend h&s and will be happy to use again in the future.
Do I need a home survey for a new build?
New builds are a popular option for all types of homebuyers – from first-time buyers to growing families to downsizers. The new home market is expanding fast in many areas of the West Country and growing in popularity.
The appeal is obvious: you’ll be the first person to live on the property while repairs and maintenance costs should be low, at least for the first few years. And if the developer is providing a snagging list to ensure the property’s physical condition is up to scratch, plus if there’s an NHBC (or similar) warranty on your home, you may decide not to bother with a home survey. After all, it’s a new property, so what could possibly be wrong with it?
At Hammond & Shaw, we have a wealth of specialist experience in residential property surveying in South Devon, and our team of Chartered Surveyors have built up a reputation for excellence and professionalism in all our business dealings. We would always advise homebuyers to get an independent property survey before purchase, and that includes buying a new build property.
Why? Well, Let’s Look at the Evidence
Your brand-new home may look perfect, but are you paying the right price for the property? Many new homes carry a ‘new build premium’, making them more expensive than older but otherwise similar properties.
A major problem you may encounter if you agree to pay ‘over the odds’ is that your mortgage lender may not approve the loan. If you do get a mortgage (or are able to proceed without one), you could struggle to sell the property for the same amount in years to come, and negative equity may become an issue.
An independent property survey can verify the market value of the property, saving you time and money. And if the survey findings flag up any issues, you may even be able to renegotiate the price.
There are many different types of property surveys including the popular RICS HomeBuyer Report, which can offer physical and financial peace of mind, even on new build properties.
A RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey will identify serious defects and urgent repairs including structural problems such as subsidence, dampness and timber defects. The report uses the RICS template for traffic light condition ratings to indicate the severity of any issues found.
Having an expert look at the property at this stage could protect you against expensive repairs further down the line. Should the findings flag up an issue with the damp proof course, for instance, we will also give our professional recommendations for repairs and maintenance. Any cost estimates can act as a useful bargaining tool to obtain a discount on the purchase price, or get the seller to rectify the issue prior to the exchange of contracts.
At H&S Surveyors, our RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Surveys also include a current market valuation and advice on whether the agreed purchase price is reasonable. We will compare the price with similar local properties and give you a good idea if you are paying too much.
With an RICS RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey Report to back you up, you are in a much stronger position to go back and renegotiate the price in line with our valuation, potentially saving you thousands.
An independent property survey is your best opportunity to get all the facts about the property you are about to buy so that you can make a well-informed decision on how to proceed.
Contact Us
Why not get in touch with our RICS-approved surveyors in South Devon to discuss your new home purchase? You are about to make one of the most important financial investment decisions of your life, so having all the facts at your disposal is key to enabling you to protect your investment. You can get a free, no-obligation quote here.
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Last updated: 24th April 2025